Itamar Ben-Gvir Joins Thousands of Israelis at Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound

The compound, known to Muslims as al-Haram al-Sharif and to Jews as the Temple Mount, is considered Islam’s third-holiest site and the most sacred location in Judaism. While the site is managed by a Jordanian-appointed body known as the Islamic Waqf, it has been subject to a fragile, decades-old “status quo” agreement that prohibits non-Muslim prayer.

Incursions and Status Quo Concerns

According to the Islamic Waqf Department, 3,228 Israelis entered the compound during the morning period on Thursday, with thousands more expected throughout the day. Other reports placed the total number of participants higher, with some sources citing more than 4,200 individuals involved in the incursions.

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Ben-Gvir, who was escorted by armed police, publicly praised the actions of those present. In a video posted to social media, he remarked, we see enormous progress here, and noted that Jewish visitors praying at the site feel like the owners.

The visit drew immediate condemnation from various international and regional bodies. The Jordanian foreign ministry described the event as a desecration of the sanctity of the mosque and an unacceptable provocation, while the Palestinian ministry of religious endowments and affairs warned that such practices from the highest political levels could ignite a religious war.

International and Regional Condemnation

In a joint statement issued on Thursday, the foreign ministers of eight nations—Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and the United Arab Emirates—denounced the mass incursions. The diplomats characterized the event as an unlawful attempt to alter the historical and legal status quo of Jerusalem’s holy sites and argued that such actions obstruct efforts toward a lasting peace based on a two-state solution.

The activist group Peace Now also criticized the event, labeling the prayers a dangerous provocation that violates the long-standing arrangements for the site.

History of Conflict at the Site

The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound has historically been a flashpoint for broader regional conflict. Changes to the status quo have previously served as triggers for unrest, most notably in 2000, when a visit by then-opposition leader Ariel Sharon was followed by the second Palestinian intifada. Hamas also cited Israeli violations at the Jerusalem mosque as a justification for its October 2023 attack on Israel.

While Ben-Gvir has previously expressed a desire to build a synagogue at the compound and raise the Israeli flag there, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has previously maintained that there is no change in official Israeli policy regarding the status quo. However, reports indicate that Ben-Gvir has unilaterally altered rules for Jewish visitors in recent years, including permitting the presence of printed religious materials at the site.

Events in Old Jerusalem

Beyond the compound itself, authorities reported unrest in surrounding areas of the Old City. Overnight, groups marched through Jerusalem, resulting in acts of vandalism at a Muslim cemetery near the Lions’ Gate entrance. Israeli police confirmed the arrest of 16 Jewish suspects in connection with the violence.

Palestinian officials reported that Israeli forces imposed tight restrictions at the mosque’s gates throughout the day, limiting access for Palestinian worshippers and students. These measures, combined with the presence of far-right groups, have fueled ongoing debates regarding sovereignty over East Jerusalem, which Israel captured in 1967 and annexed in 1980—a move not recognized by the broader international community.